M.Ed. Programs for Licensed Teachers

Westfield State University has a history and abiding commitment of preparing educators who serve the educational needs of prekindergarten through secondary school students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The shared vision of Westfield's education programs is articulated as "Educators as Leaders Building Learning Communities." Themes that support this vision are community building, reflective practice, diversity, and social justice.

Westfield is fully accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and all licensure programs are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Professional licensure programs are designed to meet the needs of teachers who already possess an initial level Massachusetts teaching license, and are seeking a master's degree that will lead to a professional teaching license in the same or related field. In order to be eligible for a professional license, teachers must have taught for three years in the area of their initial license, as well as meet other requirements listed in the licensure regulations.

Candidates in professional licensure programs will demonstrate their commitment to diversity at several points in their program. Each candidate will be required to reflect on his or her beliefs, values, experiences, and/or current practices for developing competencies that support diversity. Decisions about a candidate's performance in professional licensure programs will be based on multiple assessments.

Westfield State University offers the M.Ed. with professional licensure in the following areas:

TheReading Specialist, Initial, M.Ed. program is designed for licensed teachers in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Moderate Disabilities who desire initial licensure as a Reading Specialist.

For candidates who have taught for three years in the area of their initial teaching license (Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Moderate Disabilities), and who have met the other requirements listed in licensure regulations, it will also lead to professional licensure in the area of the first teaching license.

Advising for graduate students in the M.Ed. programs facilitates student progress in degree programs and offers an opportunity to design and to amend programs of study, acquire career advice and address topics of particular interest to students involved in graduate study for career advancement or professional development. Registration advising is offered in advance of the semester to assist with course choices appropriate for graduate programs. Programs of study constructed during the first semester of matriculation allow students to remain active participants in their course selections.

Program Description

This 34-credit hour program is designed for teachers who hold an initial license and seek Professional Licensure in Mathematics Education at the Grades 5-8 or 8-12 level. Students without the appropriate license may work toward the initial license for mathematics education and apply up to six semester hours of graduate work toward the master's degree.

See Admission requirements for graduate programs

Requirements for Master's Degree - 34 Credits

Program of Study

A. Prerequisite coursework or experience

Content knowledge in the following areas must be documented in the student's previous academic record or professional experience. Any gaps in coverage must be fulfilled as determined by the student's graduate advisor.

Choose two courses under advisement from the following:

IDIS 0610 - Innovations in the Teaching of Mathematics and/or the Sciences

MATH 0659 - Seminar in Mathematics for the Middle School

MATH 0689 - Seminar in Mathematics for the Secondary School

Two more mathematics or IDIS courses may be chosen from the list above or from the following list of mathematics courses:

A mathematics content course below may be taken for graduate credit provided a course in this field of mathematics has not been taken previously.

MATH 0501 - Modern Abstract Algebra I

MATH 0502 - Modern Abstract Algebra II

MATH 0504 - Differential Equations

MATH 0506 - Modern Geometry I

MATH 0507 - Modern Geometry II

MATH 0508 - Introductory Analysis

MATH 0509 - Introductory Topology

MATH 0511 - Theory of Numbers

MATH 0523 - Complex Analysis

MATH 0533 - Applied Statistics and Experimental Design

MATH 0534 - Operations Research and Modeling

MATH 0535 - Introduction to Numerical Methods

MATH 0540 - Mathematical Statistics I

MATH 0541 - Mathematical Statistics II

Additional Guidelines

Students are required to successfully complete a written comprehensive examination to demonstrate mastery of knowledge gained in coursework and to relate concepts across the curriculum. The comprehensive exam may be taken after completing a minimum of 27 credits.